Adeyemi 2/3

 Lucy Marous

Inan’s struggle with the concept of magic in this section was really interesting to me. Seeing how his beliefs change over the course of the novels and the catalysts that cause them, it is fascinating how seeing magic does not have as much power as experiencing it what it does to others has on him.

In the first part of this section of the novel Inan walks through the temple and sees visions of small children, Zelie, and Amari. Even though magic is right before his eyes, it is not until he sees the painting of Ori that it has an emotional impact on him. When he first walks through the temple he reminds himself “They’re not real” (208) and continually tries to ignore the physical sensations he is feeling as the result of his own magic. Once he sees the mural for the first time, his disposition is entirely changed. Inan is described as “in awe” and even says the painting “unravels everything I’ve been taught to think” (210). Seeing a representation of magic itself is proof that magic has as much of an emotional and cultural impact as it had a political one. Inan’s learning just how powerful magic is begins to shift his way of thinking. Even though he still reverts back to his old mindset and commits to destroying magic, the seed of change has still been planted.

Later on Inan’s opinion on magic shifts more as he sees the emotional impact repressing it can have. When he finally meets Zelie in reality and the two begin to fight, he sees visions of the pain she experienced at the hand of his father’s rule: “I see it all. The world Father created” (285). This launches him into a spiral in the middle of their battle that ends in him choosing not to kill her. Although his position on magic has not entirely changed, Inan is starting to see the harm that taking magic away can cause. Realizing the cruelty of his father’s actions was the first step to breaking down the worldview he has in order to grow. While more mystical than the literal display of the painting, the visions of Zelie’s pain are another way in which human emotion is what drives him to change. Seeing magic from others’ perspectives starts Inan on his own journey to change.

Finally, Inan’s partnership with Zelie pushes him to accept magic and back down from his mission. As he realizes his past wrongs, Inan acknowledges the influence Zelie had on this revelation: “Her very presence unravels everything I’ve been led to think, everything I know I need” (321). He apologizes to her and initially proposes that he will make the kingdom “A new Orisha.” After a heart to heart with her about magic and how it has made him feel, Inan tells Zelie that he will no longer stand in her way and let her fight to keep the magic. With this declaration and his use of magic in the following chapter, Inan is proving that his change is happening, and all because of Zelie.

There are no definites in the world, but Inan seems to have grown and it was expressions of human emotion- art, magic, and conversation that seem to have brought that on for him. It is beautiful to see how these vital things can shape someone in such a way, and I am excited to see how his arc progresses in the end of the novel.

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